Major General Robert F. Castellvi awards Sgt. Devon Espinoza the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal during a ceremony at Camp Pendleton on Friday, December 21, 2018. Espinoza and five other Marines helped save the life of a Riverside motorcyclist after they were the first to come across the accident returning from a camping trip in Big Bear. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

CAMP PENDLETON — Sgt. Devon Espinoza describes how he and five other Camp Pendleton Marines saved the life of a Riverside man severely injured in a motorcycle accident as being in “Marine mode.”

The rider, Floyd McGuirk, 58, was sprawled in the roadway, his right leg partially severed, on SR 330 near Big Bear on Nov. 4. He was in shock, losing blood and drifting in and out of consciousness.

Two motorcyclists with him were frantically waving for help.

Sgt. Devon Espinoza is awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal during a ceremony at Camp Pendleton on Friday, December 21, 2018. Espinoza and five other Marines helped save the life of a Riverside motorcyclist after they were the first to come across the accident returning from a camping trip in Big Bear. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Major General Robert F. Castellvi awards Sgt. Devon Espinoza the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal during a ceremony at Camp Pendleton on Friday, December 21, 2018. Espinoza and five other Marines helped save the life of a Riverside motorcyclist after they were the first to come across the accident returning from a camping trip in Big Bear. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Sound

The gallery will resume inseconds

Cpl. Mark Dass, Cpl. Jay Wehrenberg, Sgt. Devon Espinoza, Cpl. Alec Leonard and Cpl. Alexander Koeneke, from left, laugh as they pose for a photo after a ceremony at Camp Pendleton on Friday, December 21, 2018. Not pictured is Sgt. Kyle Henne who is no longer in the Marine Corps. The Marines helped save the life of a Riverside motorcyclist after they were the first to come across the accident returning from a camping trip in Big Bear. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Major General Robert F. Castellvi awards Sgt. Devon Espinoza the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal during a ceremony at Camp Pendleton on Friday, December 21, 2018. Espinoza and five other Marines helped save the life of a Riverside motorcyclist after they were the first to come across the accident returning from a camping trip in Big Bear. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Major General Robert F. Castellvi shakes hands with Ray Espinoza, grandfather of Sgt. Devon Espinoza, after his grandson was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal during a ceremony at Camp Pendleton on Friday, December 21, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Sgt. Devon Espinoza speaks to his unit after being awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal during a ceremony at Camp Pendleton on Friday, December 21, 2018. Espinoza and five other Marines helped save the life of a Riverside motorcyclist after they were the first to come across the accident returning from a camping trip in Big Bear. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Cpl. Jay Wehrenberg, Cpl. Mark Dass, Sgt. Devon Espinoza, Cpl. Alec Leonard and Cpl. Alexander Koeneke, from left, pose for a photo after a ceremony at Camp Pendleton on Friday, December 21, 2018. Not pictured is Sgt. Kyle Henne who is no longer in the Marine Corps. The Marines helped save the life of a Riverside motorcyclist after they were the first to come across the accident returning from a camping trip in Big Bear. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Sgt. Devon Espinoza hugs his grandfather Ray after being awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal during a ceremony at Camp Pendleton on Friday, December 21, 2018. Espinoza and five other Marines helped save the life of a Riverside motorcyclist after they were the first to come across the accident returning from a camping trip in Big Bear. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Lt. Col. Michelle Macander congratulates Sgt. Devon Espinoza after he was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal during a ceremony at Camp Pendleton on Friday, December 21, 2018. Espinoza and five other Marines helped save the life of a Riverside motorcyclist after they were the first to come across the accident returning from a camping trip in Big Bear. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Marines watch as Sgt. Devon Espinoza is awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal during a ceremony at Camp Pendleton on Friday, December 21, 2018. Espinoza and five other Marines helped save the life of a Riverside motorcyclist after they were the first to come across the accident returning from a camping trip in Big Bear. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Major General Robert F. Castellvi talks to his troops during a ceremony at Camp Pendleton on Friday, December 21, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Sgt. Devon Espinoza is awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal during a ceremony at Camp Pendleton on Friday, December 21, 2018. Espinoza and five other Marines helped save the life of a Riverside motorcyclist after they were the first to come across the accident returning from a camping trip in Big Bear. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Sgt. Devon Espinoza talks to his grandfather Ray after being awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal during a ceremony at Camp Pendleton on Friday, December 21, 2018. Espinoza and five other Marines helped save the life of a Riverside motorcyclist after they were the first to come across the accident returning from a camping trip in Big Bear. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Lt. Col. Michelle Macander speaks to her troops during a ceremony at Camp Pendleton on Friday, December 21, 2018. Espinoza and five other Marines helped save the life of a Riverside motorcyclist after they were the first to come across the accident returning from a camping trip in Big Bear. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Lt. Col. Michelle Macander salutes Major General Robert F. Castellvi during a ceremony at Camp Pendleton on Friday, December 21, 2018. Espinoza and five other Marines helped save the life of a Riverside motorcyclist after they were the first to come across the accident returning from a camping trip in Big Bear. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Espinoza, 26, a heavy equipment mechanic with the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, was first on scene. He assessed McGuirk’s injuries and directed his fellow Marines into action.

Within three minutes, the group had applied a tourniquet. They kept McGuirk conscious until first responders from the San Bernardino County Fire Department arrived about 20 minutes later.

Covered in blood, the Marines stayed around to help the emergency personnel by controlling bystanders and traffic, relaying information they had gathered and helping to put McGuirk on a spine board for transport.

Navy and Marine Corps awards

On Friday, Dec. 21, Espinoza, of San Clemente, was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal in a ceremony at the headquarters of the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion.

The medals were given to the Marines as the rest of their battalion stood in formation. Espinoza’s friends and family were also present.

Major Gen. Robert Castellvi, commander of the 1st Marine Division, awarded Espinoza’s medal.

“It’s a great honor for me to be here,” he said. “This reminds me why I love the NCOs (non-commissioned officers) and sergeants. They are the backbone of our Corps. When Sgt. Espinoza got in front of me today, it reminds me of what a Marine NCO is all about.

“What this sergeant did in a split second of seeing a crisis, not just him, but five Marines who were with him, who had no idea that as they were going down a road that day they’d have an opportunity to save a man’s life,” Castellvi said. “You should all be proud of him and you should be proud of each other.”

The Marines, who all work with heavy equipment, are part of a platoon that already has risen to the command’s attention for achievement.

Lt. Col. Michelle Macander, who in June became the first female Marine to be named commander of a ground combat element when she took over the battalion, praised her Marines for their lifesaving actions.

“They came upon a situation and knew they had to help,” Macander said. “I’m impressed but not surprised. That platoon is one of the top performing platoons in the battalion. They’re a tight-knit group. I’m proud of what they did. It shows they’re good citizens in the community.”

Marine mode

The group of Marines had been on leave for the weekend — camping in tents and hiking at Big Bear.

As they headed back toward Camp Pendleton, they came upon the crash. Espinoza, in the lead car, saw McGuirk in the roadway. He recognized the man was in shock. His right leg had been severed due to the force of the motorcycle impact with the guard rail.

“I called back up to my friends and I was able to think about what the Marine Corps has taught me, ” Espinoza said. “I kinda just went into Marine mode and saw that someone needed help and utilized a lot of training we had learned and helped him out. Doing this type of training all the time, it just seemed like secondhand nature.”

As the other Marines arrived, Espinoza talked with McGuirk to keep him conscious. He instructed bystanders to call 911 and at the same time, Espinoza helped the other Marines apply one of their belts as a tourniquet. That helped reduce the flow of blood from the severed leg.

Moments later, an off-duty San Bernardino County Fire employee gave the Marines a proper tourniquet.

After exposing the left leg, the Marines realized it, too, was badly injured. They applied a second tourniquet while Espinoza continued to apply pressure with his knee and tried to calm McGuirk.

Espinoza and the other Marines carefully removed the damaged motorcycle helmet. McGuirk gave them his name and asked what had happened to him. To keep him calm, Espinoza and Wehrenberg downplayed his injuries.

Within three minutes the Marines had McGuirk stabilized and talking.

Each of the Marines credits their military training, especially their combat lifesaving course, for their actions that day.

“The reason none of us felt nervous was that we all had the same training, same energy and all of us are really close friends,” said Wehrenberg. “All of us could just look at each other and figure out what was next. I felt like a puzzle piece of six.”

“In that kind of situation, there’s no time to hesitate,” Leonard added. “We’ve all been trained for combat situations and combat lifesaving and when we all realized someone’s life was at stake that kicked in. We all knew what our parts were. There was no time to waste or this man would lose his life.”

Espinoza said he spoke with McGuirk’s girlfriend last week who said he was doing well.

“I’m happy that Floyd is able to spend the holidays with family, instead of them planning a funeral,” Espinoza said.

Erika Ritchie reports on South Orange County coastal communities, military issues and Camp Pendleton for the OC Register. She explores everything from coastal access, environmental issues and marine life to city government, animal welfare and quality of life. She’s won many awards including first place in news (2016) by the Orange County Press Club for her coverage of record numbers of whale entanglements off the California coast. Erika’s covered military change of command and seen military affairs firsthand from the sea aboard a battleship, air from a MV-22 Osprey, and land including Pendleton’s International war games and San Clemente ... just that, highlighting achievements of some of Orange County’s most dedicated volunteers and non-profit leaders. Since joining the Register in 2001, she’s at times covered every city in South Orange County delving into development, housing, transportation, county government and social issues. She’s often written about Saddleback Church and Pastor Rick Warren’s emerging national and global roles. Erika’s passionate about animals and outdoor adventure. She runs, stand-up paddles and skis - both alpine and x-country. She frequents Mammoth Lakes and Mountain for hiking, biking & skiing and for her dogs to frolic in the snow and lakes. She grew up bilingual in German and conversational in French.

Join the Conversation

We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. Although we do not pre-screen comments, we reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us, and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions.

If you see comments that you find offensive, please use the “Flag as Inappropriate” feature by hovering over the right side of the post, and pulling down on the arrow that appears. Or, contact our editors by emailing moderator@scng.com.